President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday addressed a joint session of the Parliament wherein the Chief Justice of Pakistan, provincial governors, chief ministers, chairman joint chiefs of staff committee, services chiefs, and others were also invited.

President Asif Ali Zardari in his address stressed the need to get the country out of the recent political crisis.

He stressed that differences are over and everyone will have to work together.

“If we move forward together, democracy will be strong,” President Asif Zardari said.

“Everyone has to take a step back,” Zardari stressed to all the political forces in the country as tensions heightened after the February 8 results wherein opposition claimed that results were tempered and came out in favour of the unity government

All countrymen should be treated equally

“All people and provinces should be treated equally according to the law as harmony has to be created among the people so that the paths of development can be paved away from discrimination,” the President said.

President Zardari urged for an atmosphere of mutual respect and political understanding should be prevailed in the country and conclusive negotiations will require parliamentary consensus on reforms.

“I am from a political background. Everyone has to contribute to the recovery of the economy,” he said.

This is the first joint session since the unity government took power after winning the February 8 general elections.

As per Article 56(3) of the Constitution, the President shall address a joint session of the Parliament at the commencement of the parliamentary year.

MNAs and Senators from the PPP and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) held sloganeering against each other’s leadership in the joint sitting.

National Assembly security personnel prevented the filming of the meeting from the press gallery. During the President's address, the portrait of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed is placed on the dais.

Record seventh address by President Zardari

Asif Ali Zardari is addressing the session record seventh time to the joint sitting of the National Assembly and Senate.

During his five-year stint in the Presidency from 2008 to 2013, Asif Zardari addressed the parliament six times.

Newly elected Assefa Bhutto becomes center of attraction

Asifa Bhutto Zardari has become a center of special attention in the joint session of Parliament. Asifa Bhutto Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari entered together in the Lower House of the Parliament.

MPs held separate meetings with Asifa Bhutto Zardari wherein they congratulated Aseefa Bhutto on being elected as a member.